'Week of shame' as 63 police hurt in NI disorder

SOME 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a “week of shame” in Northern Ireland.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families provided with emergency accommodation.

Political leaders called for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop.

"I think all our collective effect has to be continually on that message, and I repeat that message again today - what we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted - this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level," she said.